Gov’t says private sector can help pick civil society reps for extractive industries initiative

Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 October 2025, 22:55 by Writer

The Guyana government is pushing ahead with the involvement of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) as part of a mechanism to identify civil society representatives on the multi-stakeholder group (MSG) of the Guyana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GYEITI), although Trinidad and Tobago’s EITI follows the Norway-based EITI parent body’s rules that distinctly separate the three key stakeholders.

Minister of Natural Resources Vickram Bharrat told Demerara Waves Online News that an advertisement would be placed in newspapers from Wednesday inviting expressions of interest to be the convenor of the civil society component.

He said the PSC, the civil society umbrella organisation, the Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) “or any other eligible group” is free to apply over the next two weeks after which “the selection will be done.” “We’re restarting the process,” he said.

The PFG and the Guyana government fell out a couple of years ago over the country’s suspension from EITI because civil society representatives on the GYEITI MSG did not support the terms of reference (TOR) for the Independent Administrator that was responsible for compiling Guyana’s report for submission to the EITI.

Persons familiar with the PFG told Demerara Waves Online News that Mr Bharrat dispatched a letter over the weekend informing that entity that its submission, as well as that of then the PSC Chairman, Komal Singh, who was handpicked by the government, had been set aside.

A PFG activist said the Minister, under EITI rules, was not allowed to choose who would represent the civil society.

But the natural resources minister insisted that the PSC was a civil society organisation as distinct from private businesses. “The Private Sector Commission is part of civil society, not private sector entities. Those will be considered under industry,” he said.

According to the GYEITI rules, government, the natural resources-based businesses—petroleum, gold and forests—and civil society each choose four members every four years. From the GYEITI’s inception, the PFG had been responsible for consulting its constituents and advertising.

The PSC is regarded in some quarters as enjoying a more than cozy relationship with the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC)-led government whose positions and endorsements coincide.

For its part, the natural resources ministry said on its website that the PSC is a nationally respected body comprising private sector organisations from across Guyana and has long contributed to public policy, governance reform, and inclusive economic development. With its broad reach and engagement at both national and community levels, the PSC is well-positioned to help ensure that the concerns of grassroots stakeholders are brought to the forefront, the ministry had said.

According to the EITI Standard 2023, “Civil society groups involved in the EITI as members of the multi-stakeholder group must be independent of government and/or companies, both operationally and in policy terms.” The EITI rules also state that civil society, including independent civil society groups and other civil society components such as the media and unions must be adequately represented.

Ms Ardene Sirjoo, who represents the Trinidad and Tobago-headquartered non-governmental Cropper Foundation on the TTEITI, told Demerara Waves Online News that a private sector organisation, even selected by the government could not determine who should be civil society representatives. “I think it defeats the purpose of accountability…In keeping with that idea of civil society retaining its independence and to hold the private sector and by extension the government to account, it would not be reasonable to have them determine who represent civil society,” she said.

She was also quick to point out that the private sector could recommend that civil society reach out to a civil society activist or organisations “but they have no sway in terms of selecting representatives.” While civil society organisations work with the private sector including energy companies, she said they have decided on a threshold of financing. She made it clear that the Cropper Foundation does not accept funds from energy companies.

“Because some of the issues, as you might appreciate, could become contentious when issues of transparency and accountability come up and we do not want to have to deal with people who may feel that they are indebted to the government or private sector for their involvement in the EITI process; that could become a conflict of interest,” the Cropper Foundation official added.

This issue was raised by a participant in a Guyana natural resources ministry-organised virtual workshop on the EITI process, but after the two facilitators responded, the media workers present were informed that the presenters could not be quoted.

After a media release was issued, a natural resources ministry communications officer, in response to whether the material from the workshop could now be used for news reports, said “members of the media may address the primary presentation discussed, yesterday. Please note that the Chatham House Rule remains in effect for questions posed: there is no attribution.”

EITI requirements state that civil society must be fully, actively and effectively engaged in the EITI process. The government is required to ensure that there is an enabling environment for civil society participation with regard to relevant laws, regulations and administrative rules as well as actual practice in implementation of the EITI.

The fundamental rights of civil society substantively engaged in the EITI, including but not limited to members of the multi-stakeholder group, must be respected. The government is required to ensure that there are no obstacles to civil society participation in the EITI process.

The government must refrain from actions which result in narrowing or restricting public debate in relation to implementation of the EITI.

Stakeholders, including but not limited to members of the multi-stakeholder group, must be able to speak freely on transparency and natural resource governance issues, be substantially engaged in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the EITI process, and ensure that it contributes to public debate, have the right to communicate and cooperate with one another, and be able to operate freely and express opinions about the EITI without restraint, coercion or reprisal.